Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP)
Parent Body: Natural Environment Research Council, Centre for Coastal and Marine Sciences, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, PO Box 3, Oban, Argyll, PA34 4AD

Principal Functions
Maintenance and supply of living cultures of marine algae.

Subsidiary Functions
Research, provision of educational materials and patent depository.

General Details
CCAP at Dunstaffnage comprises a gene bank of marine microalgae and small multicellular seaweeds collected from a wide range of habitats. These are available for purchase by academia and commercial enterprises. Most algal classes are represented. Some material is cryopreserved to ensure genetic stability. CCAP is an International Depository Authority (IDA) for patented strains and can accept valuable strains for safe keeping. The Collection and its associated facilities for cultivating algae under controlled conditions is an ideal environment for experimental and pilot scale work on such topics as algal nutrition.

Specification
There are currently some six hundred strains of algae available. There are several illuminated incubators with light/dark cycling, capable of maintaining constant temperatures (±1⁰C) between 0⁰C and 40⁰C. There are two large walk-in constant temperature (10–30⁰C) rooms with lighting and robust shelving for larger scale (200–3001 in total) cultivation. Gases can be supplied. Single axenic cultures of up to 201 can be handled if necessary. There are two laminar flow cabinets for conducting aseptic operations. Associated with the core activities of CCAP are the general facilities of DML including, EM, SEM, centrifuges, HPLC, GC, AA photospectrometer scintillation counter, auto analyser.

Special Features
Advice on cultivation and other aspects of algal biology is available. Detailed information on strains is available.

Future Plans
Hope to free more algae from contaminating organisms and to cryopreserve more.

Availability
Visiting workers are welcomed from both the public and private sector depending on their research interests. Training courses on algal culture can also be arranged. Times available and costs to be arranged with the curator.

Charging Basis
Published charging rates are available for cultures and deposition of patented strains. Rates can be subject to individual negotiation. There is a possibility of negotiating an exchange agreement. The minimum hire period for the facility is one day. There is a 30 year maximum (for patented strains).

Contact Information
Christine N Campbell, Curator
Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory
PO Box 3
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4AD
Telephone:  0631 562244 Fax:  0631 565518
Email:      ccapn@dml.ac.uk
Web Site: http://www.ife.ac.uk/ccap